Jim Dixon is a young history lecturer at a redbrick university and the central figure of the story. After offending his head of department and causing several disastrous incidents, he gives a lecture while drunk and feels compelled to resign. He then accepts a London job and pursues the girl he loves to the station.
A businessman who buys a cursed snuffbox by swapping its price tag. He attracts a malevolent elemental spirit attached to his shoulder. Despite seeking an exorcism, the spirit switches hosts to his wife and ultimately kills Warren in retaliation for his interference.
English gentleman returning for a cricket test match. He assists Charters and Condon in taking control of the locomotive to flee the branch line and cross into Switzerland.
Reluctant WWII conscript and reluctant soldier turned Japanese interpreter, unwittingly dragged into an art theft scheme.
A popular television personality and Conservative candidate for Earndale, Robert is selected largely through Lord Wilcot’s influence. He boasts to Stella on a train without realizing who she is, then struggles through the campaign as their rivalry turns into mutual attraction and a secret romance.
Henry Palfrey is the insecure head of a London family firm who believes himself a loser, lacking authority over his employees and especially Gloatbridge. After falling in love with April Smith and being humiliated by Raymond Delauney, he studies under S. Potter, applies lifemanship tricks, and ultimately wins April through an honest confession.
Post-war Stanley seeking corporate employment, gets entangled in factory labor disputes and union politics.
A friendly water vole who befriends Mole, warns him about the dangers of the Wild Wood, and consistently attempts to curb Toad's destructive obsessions.
Cambridge astrophysics professor tasked with monitoring Russian rocket launches. He becomes an unwitting pawn in a Cold War espionage trap after receiving a mysterious knight chess piece and money belt from his mentor, Frank Melnicker. Pursued by agents, he teams up with Maggie to outwit his captor, Hubert Marek, and eventually escapes with her.
An affluent man who summons Yvonne while she is working at a nightclub, gets her drunk, and takes her to an apartment he uses for one-night stands. Brenda follows them and sabotages his attempted tryst by putting laxative in his drink and disrupting his bath, giving Yvonne a chance to escape.
Fellow officer who participates in the white feather campaign against Harry. Captured alongside Peter during a battle and imprisoned in Omdurman. Later rescued when Harry infiltrates the city to lead a prisoner escape.
A lieutenant in command of the searchlight and anti-aircraft unit stationed in England. He visits only occasionally to check on the unit, whose day-to-day order is left to Lance Bombardier Tomlinson. The plot presents him as the unit's commanding officer rather than as a constant presence among the men.
Ian Carmichael has 46 screen credits in a career dating back to 1948. Their work spans 2 cinematic universes — most prominently Stanley Windrush Collection with 2 titles. Signature works include Lucky Jim, School for Scoundrels, Left Right and Centre. Explore the interactive character relationship maps on each title page to trace how their roles connect across franchises.
Universe traveler — spans 2 universes
Related entry on Wikidata (Q1655483), public domain (CC0).
